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Musharraf appeal: IHC judge recuses from bench over smear campaign

Dawn.com Published June 4, 2013

ISLAMABAD: Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of Islamabad High Court on Tuesday recused himself from the bench hearing the appeal challenging the cancellation of Pervez Musharraf's bail in the judges' detention case on account of what he called a smear campaign against him on social networking websites.

Justice Siddiqui dissociated himself from the IHC's divisional bench, comprising himself and Justice Riaz Ahmed Khan, at the start of today's hearing of the appeal.

The appeal was filed against the rejection of the former military ruler’s post-arrest bail petition by the Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) of Islamabad.

The recusing judge said a campaign was being run against him on social media with regard to the case which was why he could no longer be a member of the bench.

As a result, the bench stood dissolved and the matter of the appeal's hearing was forwarded to the IHC whose chief judge, Justice Mohammad Anwar Khan Kasi, would decide on the issue tomorrow.

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ATEEQ

Jun 04, 2013 01:57pm

They are not sacred cows. Why are they afraid of criticism if they are doing justice? Unfortunately they are not doing justice according to law of the land but their own so called wisdom. A common citizen can easily feel who they like or dislike.

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Omer

Jun 04, 2013 02:51pm

Another Twist, will some one have the courage to put this judge on accountability for illegal confinement of the former president under 7 ATA which has nothing to do with this case also for keeping his party out of the electoral race by putting him in jail. Now this judge excuses himself from the bench after taking revenge from him and then blaming the social media for maligning him. Judicial terrorism of the highest order, I have full faith now that CJ of IHC will grant him bail in this case and he will be allowed to come out and talk to his supporters. InshahAllah.

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Omer

Jun 04, 2013 02:52pm

Is this forum fair enough to post against this biased and corrupt judiciary or is our media also scared of judicial persecution in the guise of independent judiciary

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Uza Syed

Jun 04, 2013 03:08pm

Bit too little and bit too late, this man should have recused himself right at the beginning as he knew it as much as the rest of the world their dogs that he had an interest in the case when it first came to him, he knew that he had an ax to grind which he conveniently did at the cost of tarnishing the process. No matter what he does now won't diminsh the damage done and the doubts created about fairness or non partisan judiciary. Shame on prevalence of senseless acts of vendetta and revenge mindset.

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irfan balcoh

Jun 04, 2013 03:10pm

Good riddance a judge with personal grudge & taliban sympathy can't be fit for a position to chair a fair trial which itself is a farce

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muzammil ullah khan

Jun 04, 2013 03:22pm

Can some one smear an already smeared person ? That is the million dollar question . No amount of rescuing by this gentleman is going to turn the black into white !!

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Mohammad

Jun 04, 2013 03:39pm

yes.. justice siddquie you have done your job nicely.. cancelling Musharraf's bail and adding terrorism charges.. you have made happy so many people.

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pakiboy

Jun 04, 2013 04:02pm

thanks to social media .. ppl can be heard now ..

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khan

Jun 04, 2013 06:19pm

Well, for me it was all well planned game. He did his job what he supposed to do....... The SC, forces and media shall be accountable in future for better Pakistan. Salam

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Dr.Sohaib Rana

Jun 04, 2013 06:20pm

Justice delayed is justice denied.. the case must be decided now..

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Canadian Pakistani

Jun 04, 2013 07:28pm

@Mohammad: You have made happy persons like you who have no mind and clarity of subject.

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Mansoor

Jun 04, 2013 10:48pm

Justice siddhi qui should also be trial for falsely fabricate charges against a great leader and statesman of Pakistan, no body have ever bring any case of corruption

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M. Alvi

Jun 04, 2013 11:08pm

Mr. Siddiqui (I am not sure if I call him Justice any more) has not only disqualified himself to sit on this bench, but has also disqualified himself as a judge of the high court. He knowingly did all the vendetta against pres. Musharraf. If there is a way that he can be removed from the high court, he must be removed. He has lost his credibility as a judge, and has lowered the prestige of the institution he serves.

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asif ali khan

Jun 04, 2013 11:12pm

The judge supposed to be impartial and must favour nothing but Justice. Mr. Musharraf is an honest patriot, ex-president and ex-army general, always raised Pakistan flag up, trusts the judicial system which is corrupt and takes direction from else where. Why? Some people are afraid of Mr. Musharraf to be part of democratic process.

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El Cid

Jun 05, 2013 01:52am

The good, fair, and competent judge should not have recused himself. The criticism against him is not valid but the tactics of Musharraf's supporters who know their ex-dictator has no chance in a fair trial.

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Kum Aqal Pakistani

Jun 05, 2013 03:48am

Well, was not aware of power of Social Media before. Happy they do know now that people will not respect for political decisions unless its comply with the law of land

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Uza Syed

Jun 05, 2013 04:00am

@Omer: Let's see, hope what you anticipate proves so to be. Considering the recent history of our judiciary, I'm rather pessimistic.

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Ahmed Ali Khan

Jun 05, 2013 04:55am

@irfan balcoh: Very well said.

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Faizan Hussain

Jun 05, 2013 01:16pm

Justice Siddiqui should be trialed the same way he treated Mr. Musharaf. Justice Siddiqui came to know after 2 months that there is a campaign going on against him on social media, totally a lame statement by the coward judge. Justice Siddiqui gave the same excuse as his senior Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudry gave in his Son's case. Iftikhar Chaudry said that he doesn't know what is his sons earning. the whole judicial process is lame and all the judges are commission agents. Justice Siddiqui should even be trialed for not letting Musharaf participate in the elections. As he is the only person disqualified, where as all the other financial corrupt people were allowed.

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Zaheeruddin Shaikh

Jun 05, 2013 03:33pm

I dont understand why these Judges have gone personal with General Musharraf. His era was one where Pakistan saw utmost development in every sector. Plus he has fought 3 wars for Pakistan put his life on the line for his motherland. This is how the country repays this solider. By framing him as a traitor. This Judiciary is the most unfair of all. All Judges are corrupt with personal vendettas. Pervaiz Musharraf is a hero of Pakistan. A leader the world has never seen. Insha Allah he will rule Pakistan again and Pakistan will prosper again!

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El Cid

Jun 06, 2013 03:23am

Social media's attack on a judge to skew judgment is what Pakistanis want? Then why cry after you get it. Pakis deserve their abysmal fate. They should allow justice to take its course...or cry not later when they get their wish. By now Pakis should have learned that when you jam, monkey wrench a system to favor you in one area then there will be unexpected consequences in others: Rampant corruption.

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